First Look: It’Sugar goes big in Chicago

The Disney Store in Chicago has made way for a colorful — and massive— candy “department store.”

It’Sugar has opened an 11,400-sq.-ft. outpost on North Michigan Ave. (the “Magnificent Mile”) on a site that was recently vacated by Disney.  Offering what it calls a “retail-tainment experience,” the colorful store combines curated shopping stations, eye-catching displays made of candy and oversized replicas of familiar characters, such as Toucan Sam.  

The attractions include an 11-ft. Ferris Wheel candy display and a lollipop “garden” boasting over a thousand pops. There is also a Chicago skyline made entirely of jellybeans.

In total, the store features more than two dozen candy stations housing nearly 400 different kinds of candy, with many exclusive flavors of familiar brands to allow for a more customized candy experience. Entire departments dedicated to such popular brands as M&M’s, Skittles, Starburst, Reese’s, OREO, Sour Patch Kids, Pez and more. The mix also includes global brand and quirky candy-themed gifts. 

The new It’Sugar honors Chicago’s candy history — the area is home to a host of confectionary brands.  Notable Chicago brands such as Nerds, Tootsie Roll, Wrigley’s Gum and Charms Blow Pops are highlighted. Customers can even buy a “Taste Of Chicago” sampler box.

“There is no better location to open a candy department store in Chicago, the candy capital of the world, than on the Magnificent Mile said Jeff Rubin, CEO and founder of It’Sugar. “With the grandest assortment of confectionery treats and popular licensed merchandise, we are looking forward to bringing another sugar-filled emporium to Chicagoans. At It’Sugar, it is not only about taste, but also about attitude, and visitors experience playfulness as soon as they walk into one of our locations.”

[Read More: It’Sugar taps Sephora vet as VP of stores]

Founded by candy veteran Rubin in 2006, It’Sugar operates 100 U.S. locations, including a three-level, 22,000-sq.-ft. location at American Dream, the 3 million-sq.-ft. mega-retail and entertainment center in East Rutherford, N.J. It’Sugar is of BBX Capital’s family of companies and a subsidiary of BBX Sweet Holdings.